The weevil Scaphomorphus trivittatus (Say) was found in close association with Astragalus praelongus var. elliseae (Rydb.) and Astragalus asclepiadoides (Jones) in selenium-containing soils in Carbon County, Utah. The weevils fed on roots of the Astragalus species and formed soil cocoons, which were attached to the tap roots. The weevils pupated and developed into adults in these cocoons over the fall and winter and then emerged in the spring. The plants and soil cocoons contained highly elevated levels of selenium compared to the soils. The weevils, in contrast, differed little from the soils in selenium content.
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1 December 2007
OBSERVATIONS ON AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE WEEVIL SCAPHOMORPHUS TRIVITTATUS (SAY) AND TWO ASTRAGALUS SPECIES ON SELENIUM-RICH SOILS IN CARBON COUNTY, UTAH
Gary R. Hooper,
Boyd F. Holdaway
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Western North American Naturalist
Vol. 67 • No. 4
December 2007
Vol. 67 • No. 4
December 2007
Astragalus
Scaphomorphus
selenium
soil cocoons